(This from the way back archives — the 1970s!)
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At certain times I’m skeptical about various things or people, but basically I believe what people tell me, unusual or not. Like black panthers or leopards, fortune telling, and witching wells.
I really became a believer in the latter, Thursday evening. My brother-in-law Ronald Smith, who used to drill wells, came over to look at a piece of property we bought on Drahner Road.
We’d talked of witching wells before, so I asked him to find the place to drill for water at our place. He cut a branch from a Chinese Elm which formed a ‘Y?. He said some witchers use only willow, but any green crotch will do.
Holding the branch very firmly, thumbs pointed out and the base of the ‘Y? up, he slowly walked the lot. He found two places where he was unable to hold the branch upright. Like a magnet, the branch was drawn down until it pointed straight toward the ground.
Amazed, I asked him if I could do it. He said some people can’t, but go ahead and try. I did exactly like he did. Nothing happened.
Then he took one end of the branch, I took the other, we gripped each other’s other hand and started walking. The stupid branch again was drawn toward the same spots he located.
One time we held the branch more back of center than ahead of center and as we reached the right place, the branch was drawn backward between us, until it was pointed straight down.
Ron said he has had witch sticks burn his hands, the draw was so strong and quick. Other times the bark has turned off the branch in his hands. Disbelievers still won’t believe in witching wells, but I do.